The Elf Blog

Christmas Countdown -- 7 Weeks!

Christmas Eve is only seven weeks away and Thanksgiving is only three weeks away!  That means it's time to kick the preparations into high gear.

Here are this week's tasks:

• Begin developing your task schedule for the holiday season.  Put it right on your master calendar.  Write in dates for baking, decorating, writing cards, shopping, cooking, wrapping, crafting, etc.  Keep in mind that some tasks may need to be spread over several days.  For example, some doughs need time to rise, crafts need time to dry, etc.
• Identify areas in your house for various holiday activities: wrapping, gift storage, baking supplies, Thanksgiving staging, card writing.  If possible, keep these areas set until the task is completed.  If everything you need to work on cards is easily at hand, you can take 5 or 10 minutes to write a few notes, address some cards, etc. 
• If you have any presents that must ship overseas, you needs to buy them this week so they can ship before November 15th.

If you are hosting Thanksgiving, here are your tasks:

• Finalize your menu.
• Begin staging the dinner, getting china, serving pieces, table linens, etc. ready and gathered in a single accessible place.
• Create a detailed schedule for your preparation.  Place everything as early in the schedule as possible to reduce stress.  You can shop for non-perishables as early as this weekend.  You can polish silver and iron table linens now.  You can set the table the Monday before Thanksgiving.  Only leave to Thanksgiving morning those things that cannot be done in advance.  The best thing you can bring to the table is yourself, relaxed.
• If you like fresh turkeys, order yours now for pickup during Thanksgiving week.  If you use a frozen turkey, you can buy it when you'd like.  Also get a large plastic bucket and make room in the fridge so you can brine it.

From here on out, we'll be working hard to prepare.  Remember the goal: To look up on Christmas Eve and realize that everything is prepared and you have nothing to do except enjoy.

Christmas Countdown -- 8 Weeks

Thanksgiving is 4 weeks away.  Christmas Eve is 8 weeks away.  (Well, that takes care of scaring you all for Halloween!)

In the last weeks, we've done master scheduling, made lists, and played catch-up.  This week, we focus on taking stock:

• Take stock of your hostess items -- serving platters, fancy table linens, good china and silver, etc.  Does the silver need to be polished?  Do the linens need to be laundered or ironed or replaced?
• Take stock of your cooking and baking supplies.  Do you have enough cookie sheets?  Storage tins?  What cooking and baking basics do you have on hand:  broth, flour, nuts, sugar, vanila, almond extract, spices, baking powder, colored sugars, etc.?
• Take stock of your Christmas cards.  If you bought them in the after-Christmas sales last year, find them.  Make sure you have enough. Also, check your stock of address labels.  Holiday stamps are available at the post office, so you can pick them up at your convenience.
• Take stock of your wrapping supplies: paper, boxes, tissue, tape, ribbons, bows, and gift tags.
• Take stock of your decorations so you'll know if anything needs to be repaired or replaced.

By the end of the week, you should know where you stand so you'll be ready to move forward.  That's the goal.

Christmas Countdown -- 9 Weeks

Christmas Eve is 9 weeks from today.  This week in the countdown is a catch-up week.  By the end of the week, you should have devleoped:

• Your budget.
• Your holiday calendar.
• Your lists (Christmas card, gifts to give, gifts to receive, etc.)
• Your travel plans.

If you find yourself with extra time, start your crafts, paw through your recipe file, and check your inventory of wrapping paraphernalia.

Christmas Countdown -- 10 Weeks!

Christmas Eve is only 10 weeks away!  (I know.  I'm panicking a bit too.)

This week, let's focus on making lists. 

First, make a list of gift recipients.  If you have already bought some gifts, write down what you've bought.  You can also jot down any ideas you might have. You may want to color-code the gifts that will have to be shipped. 

Second, make a list of gifts you might like to receive.  Little ones can write their letters to Santa.

Third, finalize your CHristmas card list.

Fourth, if you will be throwing a party, draft your guest list and let folks know of the need to save the date.

Fifth, using your calendar, block out any existing engagements from THansgiving to Christmas:  family, work, religious, social.  Also, block out some rest time.  You'll need it.

Finally, if you make any gifts, make a list of the things you plan to make and the supplies you'll need.  Make sure you have all necessary supplies on hand or that you have a plan to get them!

Christmas Countdown -- Three Months To Go

Christmas Eve is three months from today.  That means it's time to kick the Christmas countdown into high gear. 

Within the next month, you need to complete the following tasks:

• Make your holiday travel arrangements.
• If you are throwing a party, let folks know to save the date.
• Update your Christmas card address list.
• Build your Christmas gift list.  You don't have to start shopping yet, but you should at least decide who you'll be shopping for.
• If you plan to make gifts or decorations, purchase all craft supplies and start work, if possible.
• Pull out your holiday recipe file and start narrowing down the ones you want to try.
• Make room in the cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer for the holiday surplus.
• Finalize your holiday budget and make sure you know where the money is coming from.  If you don't have enough saved, you need to reduce the budget.
• Stop buying things you don't absolutely need.  Put them on your Christmas list instead.

the sooner you start, the higher the chances that three months from today, you'll be cosily esconced in a chair, drinking hot cocoa, eating homemade cookies, and watching a Christmas movie -- not making a mad dash through the mall only to come home to defrost the turkey with a hair dryer before pulling an all-nighter to finish crafts and wrapping.

Five Months

Five months from today is Christmas Eve.  What will you be doing on Christmas Eve:  relaxing with family and friends, ready to celebrate or running around madly, over-stressed and overspent, trying to accomplish evrything last minute?

If you'd rather be the first, the decisions you make now are essential.  You can set your budget (and start saving toward it), make travel plans, begin crafting handmade gifts, update your address lists, review your recipe files to identify the ones you want to try this year, begin blocking out time on your calendar for major tasks (decorating, wrapping, baking, card-writing), even start your shopping!  (Full disclosure:  I bought several Christmas over the weekend and plan to buy more in August.)

You don't need to pre-empt your celebration.  I detest seeing Christmas decorations up in stores before Halloween, but you can plan and make sure you've laid the necessary groundwork.  After all, using a summer sale to stock up on non-perishable ingredients for cookies isn't going to diminish your celebration.  It just means you don't have to hope that the all-night covenience store carries vanilla!

The Countdown Begins!

Christmas Eve is six months from today!  How is your planning going?

No need to stress quite yet, but here are a few things to think about:

Now is the perfect time to establish your holiday budget.  I like to plan everything from Halloween on (since I spend a lot on Halloween candy).  If you host Thanksgiving, that should be in the mix.  Same if you host a New Year's Open House or an Epiphany party.  The budget should include everything:  gifts, cards, postage, special clothes, wrapping paper, decorations, party costs, holiday meals, travel, etc. It's not a bad idea to add a 10% contingency, just in case. 

After you have established the budget, make sure it's realistic.  Can you actually save that much money?  Spreading the saving over several months certainly helps, but in the current economic situation it may not be feasible or wise.  So, look at ways to economize.  Talk with family and friends about setting limits on gifts.  Perhaps you can give a family gift rather than separate gifts to each member.  A group of friends can substitute a shared experience for a batch of gifts.  You can agree to make gifts or even (you'd better sit down for this) not give gifts at all.  If you striggle every year to buy a gift for someone, they may be happy to agree to a joint cessation of gift-giving.  You can send fewer cards.  You can decorate or entertain less elaborately. 

Look at what you'll need to do and plan accordingly.  The one thing you must not do (especially in this economy) is to rely on credit for your holiday budget.  If you don't have it, you don't spend it.  Simple as that.

Other things it's handy to think about now:

1) As summer weddings and moves (new graduates, moving when the kids get out of school, etc.) happen, update your card address list.  That way you don't spend half of December trying to remember if she changed her last name and if you can find the change of address card he sent.

2)  If you can decide your travel now, you can buy your tickets with maximum choice of seats and at great prices.  Some sites (like Orbitz) even offer price assurance, so if someone else gets the same flight cheaper, they'll refund the difference to you.  If the costs are high, consider travel insurance -- just in case.

3) If you plan to make some gifts (apart from baking), start planning now.  The lazy days of summer may be the best time to knit that sweater, make the jewelry, or compile the scrapbook.  Some things can only be done in the summer.  Take advantage of seasonal produce to make jam and pickles or can peaches and tomatoes.  A basket filled with your home preserves makes a lovely gift and brings the summer alive in the depths of winter.

4) Cleaning out closets and drawers is always a good occupation.  More storage space and a tidier living environment make the holidays easier.

5) If you are vacationing this summer, keep your eye out for gifts. 

What are you doing to prepare for the holiday?

9 Months Away!

Christmas is 9 months from today!  No, don't go!  I'm not going to tell you that you should be finished shopping or make you start decorating, I promise!

There are some things you can do though.

Many areas have spring cleanup days when you can put out large things that usually can't go in the trash.  That makes it a good time to get rid of the large decorations and such that are in poor condition and cannot be repaired.

As you are planning your vacation, google the area to look for interesting places to shop for presents.  I've had excellent luck with little off-the-beaten path boutiques and museum shops.  Also, check for events in the area you will visit.  I've managed to catch craft shows in some places and come away with lovely one-of-a-kind gifts.  Imagine coming back from vacation well-rested AND with part of your shopping done!

If you do spring cleaning,it's a good time to organize your recipe files, decorations, and craft supplies.

Finally, take the time now to set up your holiday budget. You have 9 months to save.  That makes things a bit easier.  You'll know how much you need to put back each week to be ready for the holiday season!

Christmas Countdown -- 3 days

Christmas is only three days away.  Preparations are in their final approach.

• All shopping should be done.
• Make a nice cup of hot chocolate and wrap your presents.
• Grocery shop for last perishables for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners.
• Chill some beverages and have snacks on hand for Christmas visitors.
• Do any prep work possible for Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner.
• Pick up any party supplies you need for New Year's Eve.
• Make sure your Christmas movies and music are at hand and easily accessible.
• Relax.  Go look at Christmas lights.  If it isn't done yet, go to plan B!

Christmas Countdown -- 1 Week

Christmas Eve is one week from today.  you're in the homestretch!

• Finish your baking.  Take cookies to neighbors and friends.
• Wrap your presents.
• Do your grocery shopping for your Christmas Eve and Christmas meals.
• Take a walk around your house (inside and outside) to see if decorations need to be refreshed or if something needs to be tidy.
• Prepare your guest room for any Christmas guests.
• Gather Christmas DVDs and story books to entertain on Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Create a Christmas playlist on your iPod or gather CDs.
• Shop for a New Year's Eve outfit if needed or rent a tux.
• Update your list of the gifts you have received so that you are ready to write thank you notes after Christmas.
• Take a deep breath.  You're going to make it.